About Le Stelle Alpine
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Our History
Le Stelle Alpine Italian Performing Arts Association was founded in 1982 by Laura Pascolo McRury, who served as Artistic Director from 1982 to 1997.
At the time, Laura was involved in a local Ukrainian dance group and often attended multicultural festivals in Thunder Bay. She noticed that the city’s strong Italian community did not have its own cultural dance group and felt inspired to change that.
With support from her parents, Laura created Le Stelle Alpine Italian Dancers. The name “Le Stelle Alpine” was chosen because it represents a flower that grows in the mountainous regions of Italy. Laura wanted the group to represent all of Italy, not just one area.
The group began with eight dancers. Lessons were offered free of charge, and families only needed to purchase dance shoes. Costumes were provided by the group.
The first costumes were made possible through a Wintario grant, with support from Moffatt Makuto of the Multicultural Association of Northwestern Ontario Youth Centre. With limited funds, Laura and her family found creative ways to make the costumes. Her mother, Vittoria Pascolo, volunteered more than 200 hours sewing costumes in the first year, while her father helped with repairs and transportation.
Le Stelle Alpine quickly became a well-known part of Thunder Bay’s cultural community. The group performed at local events, weddings, and festivals, and travelled to communities such as Fort Frances, Kenora, Schreiber, and Terrace Bay.
By the early 1990s, the group had grown to more than 32 dancers across three age groups. With the help of Alfred Petrone, Le Stelle Alpine became incorporated as Le Stelle Alpine Performing Arts Association. This new name reflected the hope that the group could one day expand beyond dance into music, drama, and other arts.
In 1997, Laura stepped down as Artistic Director for family reasons. Although it was a difficult decision, she knew the group was in good hands and trusted that dedicated volunteers would continue the tradition.
Today, Le Stelle Alpine continues to celebrate Italian culture through dance, performance, and community connection. What began as one woman’s dream has become a lasting legacy for Thunder Bay’s Italian community and future generations.
About us
Mission Statement
To promote, teach and enhance Italian culture through music and dance.
Le Stelle Alpine Italian Performing Arts Association was first established in 1982 by founder Laura Pascolo McRury to represent and share Italian culture within the community of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Le Stelle Alpine Italian Dancers continue with the same mission: “To promote, teach and enhance Italian culture through music and dance.”
Le Stelle Alpine Italian Dancers is an Italian folk dance group dedicated to promoting and preserving Italian culture in North America. Named after the star shaped flower that can be found throughout Italy’s countryside, our artistic directors and dancers strive to represent all regions of Italy by creating and performing a variety of Italian folk dances for audiences all over the world. By promoting, teaching, and enhancing Italian culture through music and dance, Le Stelle Alpine Italian Dancers are proud to celebrate and share Italian culture.
Le Stelle Alpine Italian Dancers welcomes youth of any race, culture, or creed. Registration for dance classes is always welcome and open to all abilities and nationalities.
Join us in celebrating and sharing Italian culture.
